There is considerable evidence to support the notion that people's medical conditions do not exist in a vacuum, but are influenced by psychological and social factors (Partridge & Johnstone, 1989). These factors are related to both the cause and progress of the disease. There are a limited number of drugs that patients with severe asthma can take, and the resultant side effects are both physiological and psychological due to the high dosages required. Alternate management approaches need to be identified for this group of people with severe asthma and it is hoped that this research project helps to highlight these and encourage further research into the social and psychological aspects of asthma management.